Fatigue is one of the most common and underestimated safety risks in commercial fishing. It affects navigation, deck work, machinery use, decision making, and emergency response. Unlike sudden hazards, fatigue builds slowly through long hours, night work, poor sleep, uncomfortable living conditions, harsh weather, and pressure to keep working. It can reduce performance in ways that are not always obvious to the person experiencing it.

In fishing, fatigue is often accepted as part of getting the job done, especially during busy seasons, long trips, or when crews are small. From a safety point of view, fatigue is not just an individual issue. It reflects how work is planned, paced, and supported on board.

Fatigue is also a common cause behind serious incidents such as collisions, groundings, slips and falls, man overboard events, and slow or poor emergency response. Recognising fatigue as a safety hazard, not a personal weakness, is key to preventing serious injury and loss of life at sea.